Started around 7AM. Little snow to start, but progressively more towards the top. Lots of postholing along the ridge to the summit due to the snow sitting in the sun. Summit was a bit rough to reach due to loose snow with hidden rock underneath. Back at car around 3PM.

This was probably the 8th or 9th time I have climbed Mt Rosa and I have to say I was pretty disappointed at the amount of garbage in Frosty Park. Most of the brand new fencing to keep motorized vehicles out of the meadow has been cut down. Witnessed dirt bikes on trails that prohibit motorized vehicles and lots of fresh tracks almost to the top of the main trail. Every sign is shot to bits. Dozens of trees shot down that were not shot down last year. Lots of garbage in the creek that leads to the reservoir. If this keeps up they will close that road. I've never taken the St Mary's Falls trail but I will next time so I can avoid Frosty Park. And to top it all off the summit marker at the top of Mt Rosa is gone.

My wife and I hiked this with my friend and his wife, and my friend and I each had our 9-month-old babies (firsts for both our families) on our backs. Great family hike, and great way for my little girl to get her first mountain top down. :)

Climbed solo from the Gold Camp Road parking lot. There is still quite a bit of snow on the slope to the summit, but a good trail has been forged through it by previous hikers. Saw two other people and a small dog on my way back down. Round trip (including base of St. Mary's Falls) was about 14 miles and 4500 ft of elevation gain. The view from Mt. Rosa is exceeded only by the view from Pikes Peak!

Had to do it again, after a too-long hiatus. I "cheated" to shave about 2 miles off the usual route from the Gold Camp Rd. parking lot, and climbed the ridge directly to the tunnel from Helen Hunt Falls. My measurements say this makes about an 11-mile RT, but, amazingly, TOPO! says only 9.2. Take your pick. Of course, snow and some postholing on the last 500 vertical feet. Had the summit all to myself.